It’s not secret to longtime Soul In Stereo readers that I have great respect and admiration for BIG KRIT – in my eyes, he’s been the best artist to emerge from the Deep South for early two decades running.
So why have I put off ranking his albums? Well, you can’t talk about KRIT’s albums without talking about his stellar mixtape run.
AND HE HAS A LOT OF MIXTAPES.
Still, this celebration is long overdue. Today, we finally look at Big KRIT’s career in totality (minus EPs because this list is long enough). In an era where authenticity is downplayed in favor of gimmicks and clout, KRIT has remained true to his Southern roots, his faith and his love of the culture.
That’s what makes his music so authentic. And it makes me admire him so much more.
Journey to the top of Mt. Olympus with us and see why this King will always be Remembered In Time.
21. See Me on Top II (2005)
Soul in Stereo rating: 3 stars out of 5
Edd said: The second outing in KRIT’s long-running See me on Top mixtape series is a step forward and a step back from the debut. On one hand, KRIT is beginning to find his voice and sound – it has the DNA of a strong KRIT project. But still, this is a LONG mixtape, which means you have to wade through lots of filler to get to the good stuff. And there are more than a few interchangeable ’00s-era Dirty South joints. The long runtime + a few inconsistencies = a serviceable but unfulfilling release.
Forgotten favorites: “Just Touched Down,” “Stop Drop,” “Baby Don’t Do It”
20. Hood Fame (2006)
Soul in Stereo rating: 3 stars out of 5
Edd said: In 2006 KRIT was still trying to find that balance between mainstream success and Southern authenticity. Hood Fame is a more refined approach than See Me on Top II but like much of early KRIT’s work, there are a few too many boilerplate Dirty South joints. They aren’t BAD, but they’re no different than anything TI and the like were dropping at the time. It’s not the worst mixtape you’ve ever heard but he’d be much greater later.
Forgotten favorites: “Mary Jane (Spaced Out),” “On My Grind,” “It Was All a Dream”
19. See Me On Top III (2008)
Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Edd said: Third time’s the charm. See Me on Top III is a big step in the evolution of KRIT, as his voice and sound were starting to take shape. He wasn’t just Southern Rapper No. 37 anymore, he was becoming his own distinct artist. Tracks like “Best Side of Me” showcase that marriage of soul and Southern sensibility that made KRIT one of a kind. But, again, like most of these SMOT joints, it’s a long-winded project, and not every track lands.
Forgotten favorites: “Best Side of Me,” “Private Dancer,” “Stunt Man”
18. The Last King (2009)
Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Edd said: If you miss those 2000s-era trunk bangers, this is the album for you. KRIT’s energy is through the roof as he rampages through these tracks with reckless abandon. But again, like many of the See Me On Top records, he occasionally falls into the trap of being, well, another trap rapper. It certainly has great moments though, like his flip of Usher’s “Throwback” on “Want me Back.” It’s a fun listen, but it’s far from a standout one.
Forgotten favorites: “Send Me an Angel,” “Want Me Back,” “Circulate”
17. Digital Roses Don’t Die (2022)
Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Edd said: Here’s the first proper album on our list, and like many of his studio LPs, it got quite a mixed reception. KRIT is no stranger to crooning, but this album takes it to another level, feeling more R&B than most of my Cousin Chris Brown’s albums in the 2010s. The funk-inspired production gives the project a vibrant and refreshing sound, but it’s missing the deep introspection and sharp takes on Southern life that fuel is bigger projects. Plus, some of the themes get repetitive by album’s end. Props for the experimentation – it just doesn’t always pay off.
Forgotten favorites: “Rhode Clean,” “Show U Right,” “So Cool”
16. KRIT Iz Here (2019)
Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Edd said: This one had a massive legacy to live up to. KRIT Iz Here isn’t just a follow-up to one of KRIT’s best albums, it also builds on the namesake of one of his most important mixtapes. That’s a pretty high bar to clear … and it doesn’t quite get there. It’s a KRIT joint, so the production is great and his flow is never to be questioned, but there’s a surprising amount of guests for one of his studio LPs and quite frankly, not all of them can keep up. And several tracks feel a bit too safe and formulaic for this stage of KRIT’s career. It certainly has shining moments (“Energy” is still in rotation) but much of it is forgettable.
Forgotten favorites: “KRIT Here,” “Energy,” “Learned From Texas”
15. See Me on Top IV (2014)
Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Edd said: Well, let’s get this out of the way – See Me on Top IV is home to “Mt. Olympus,” which isn’t just the best Big KRIT song to date, it’s one of the best rap songs of all time. Yes, I said of ALL time. That’s enough to make this a noteworthy collection. But See Me on Top IV is odd – most KRIT mixtapes feel like full-fledged albums. This feels like … a regular mixtape. A solid mixtape, sure, but not the culture-shaking behemoths we were used to by 2014. There are a few notable standouts, and then there are several where KRIT is just a featured act. It feels more like a snapshot of his career at the moment than a definite statement. But hey, “Mt. Olympus.” Sheesh.
Forgotten favorites: “Mt Olympus,” “Creep Up,” “Believe Me”
14. A Style Not Quite Free (2021)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: A Style Not Quite Free is a retooling of 2016’s dope #12for12 tape, featuring similar freestyles with completely new production. If you don’t pay close attention, you won’t even realize that the verses are reused, that’s how imaginative the retoolings are. The production is great and the energy is there but it just doesn’t have the bite of the original. It’s probably unfair to compare the two projects but in this case it’s unavoidable. It’s not as good as the first but it absolutely deserves to stand on its own.
Forgotten favorites: “Subway,” “Easy,” “All Candy”
13. Full Court Press (2022)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: Y’all might have missed this one. Full Court Press is a collabo between Krizzle, Wiz Khalifa, Smoke DZA and producer Girl Talk. The production is the biggest highlight – equal parts soulful and dreamy, with just enough edge to keep the energy high. Despite the contrasting rap styles (and in some cases, rampant inconsistency over the years – looking at you, Wiz), there’s lots of chemistry between the group. It’s a super fun, breezy listen but lacks the deep introspection and commentary that comes with the usual KRIT projects. It’s just KRIT having fun with the homies, and it makes for a enjoyable experience.
Forgotten favorites: “Put You On,” “Revenge of the Cool,” “Everyday”
12. See Me on Top (2005)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: And this is the section of the review when the torches get lit and the pitchforks come out. More than two decades later and I believe that KRIT’s debut mixtape still beats many of his later works. It’s that good. Of course, KRIT was far from the artist we’d know today – he hadn’t developed a sound yet, with the UGK influence being very blatant; and in, terms of production, this sounds like every other Southern mixtape from the mid 00s. But it’s KRIT’s presence that helps his rise above the pack. The heart, wisdom and soulfulness that defines his greatest works get their start here. See Me on Top feels like a time capsule – but it’s a capsule filled with trunk rattling bass. It still holds up.
Forgotten favorites: “A Rapper with a Dream,” “Twerk a Lil Something,” “My Life Ain’t Rosey”
11. Cadillactica (2014)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: Y’all still got those torches and pitchforks in hand? Good. I have quite the love-hate relationship with this album, as do many fans. While it was seen as a disappointment in 2014 by many, I gave it a good rating in my original review, even though I recognized – like other longtime KRIT fans – that it was steps below his top-tier mixtapes. Today, the tide has turned a bit and Cadillactica is more appreciated. But my original thoughts still stand – it’s a pretty good album from an artist who was known at the time for giving us greatness. The spacey production and philosophical themes are a plus but there’s a disconnect that keeps it from really hitting the mark that previous projects nailed. It’s not a terrible album, and it’s not an excellent album. It’s an imperfect album that still succeeds despite its flaws and is worthy of your time.
Forgotten favorites: “Kreation,” “Cadillactica,” “Life”
10. Last King 2: God’s Machine (2011)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: Unlike the previous Last King project, we’re at fully formed KRIT by 2011, and that means it’s a big step above its predecessor. The concepts are much stronger and Krizzle’s confidence is much higher. The production is sweeping and downright captivating at moments, helping to carry some of the project’s weaker moments. While not as essential as his top-tier mixtapes, it reinforces how reliable KRIT had become. He was on the roll of his career at this point.
Forgotten favorites: “The Big Payback,” “Fulla S***,” “So Be It”
9. Dedicated to Cadalee Biarritz (2025)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: Sometimes, you just wanna ride out to good music, and Krizzle is always willing to deliver. Dedicated to Cadalee Biarritz isn’t just a love letter to car culture, it’s a throwback to the sub-shattering production and Southern flair that first captivated audiences. The beats steal the show but KRIT isn’t afraid to sprinkle in introspection and commentary to guide you on those long rides. Simply put, this thing KNOCKS and is one of his most fun releases in ages.
Forgotten favorites: “Gotta Do It,” “Old News,” “The Mileage”
8. #12for12 (2016)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: I’m an old head and THIS is how I like my mixtapes. Get a dope MC, let him or her flex over hit beats of the era, and I’m locked in. #12for12 is simply a collection of freestyles, featuring KRIT flexing over well-known instrumentals from Pusha T, Erykah Badu and more. You can tell KRIT is having a ball too, as he takes the opportunity to experiment with his flow I’m a sucker for these no-frills bar fests – it’s a great showcase of his artistry.
Forgotten favorites: “Country N****s Anonymous,” “4 PM @ the Kappa,” “Other Side of the Game”
7. Live from the Underground (2012)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: Although KRIT had been in the game for almost a decade by this point, Live from the Underground was KRIT’s official studio debut. And much like Cadillactica, its reception was extremely mixed, simply because it couldn’t touch the heights of the mixtapes that came before it. But that doesn’t mean this is a bad project – I’d say it’s one of his best studio albums to date. The album’s live instrumentation and Southern influences give it a timeless quality rarely heard in mainstream rap at the time. And sure, some of the mainstream efforts didn’t always land, but KRIT’s deep affection for Mississippi, family and car culture still make this feel like a very personal project. This album is better than y’all gave it credit for.
Forgotten favorites: “I Got This,” “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” “Pull Up”
6. King Remembered in Time (2013)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: After his debut album received a lukewarm reception, KRIT went back to his mixtape basics with King Remembered in Time. This time out we see K.R.I.T. experimenting more aggressively with atmosphere and mood. The production is dreamier and more psychedelic – think Outkast’s switch to the Aquemini sound. It’s one of his funkiest and most sonically expansive projects. Like the album that preceded it, this one is quite underrated.
Forgotten favorites: “King Without a Crown,” “Shine On,” “My Trunk”
5. It’s Better This Way (2015)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: “I got a chip on my shoulder the size of a boulder than a giant wouldn’t even bother to hold up” – Oh, we can tell homie. Whenever KRIT’s albums gets mixed reviews, you can bet he’s following up with a fire mixtape. And as expected, It’s Better This Way feels like KRIT recalibrating after the mixed reception of Cadillactica. KRIT had something to prove and you can feel the frustration. The production is soulful and grounded again, and his bars are hungry and focused. It’s heavy on the introspection but of course there are lighter moments for the parking lot pimps among us. Some may say it’s angry but nah, this is just KRIT reflecting on life and his career – and a thoughtful KRIT is a dangerous MC.
Forgotten favorites: “King Pt 4,” “86,” “Party Tonight”
4. KRIT Wuz Here (2010)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: The coolest thing about doing these catalog retrospectives is you get to see an artist evolve in real time. And it was here in 2010, after all the See Me on Tops, that we finally got to see KRIT for who he truly was. KRIT Wuz Here is the mixtape that established his sound, his production style and his legacy as he South’s newest standard-bearer. KRIT bares his soul as he speaks on poverty, ambition, and regional pride over soulful backdrops. And of course, there are plenty of trunk knockers too. Yeah, it can drag in spots but the emotional honesty and intricate storytelling make the tape incredibly memorable. KRIT wuz here, and hip-hop took notice. Perfect title for the moment.
Forgotten favorites: “Viktorious,” “Glass House,” “Children of the World”
3. 4Eva is a Mighty Long Time (2017)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: Big KRIT is really tired of being rap’s most underrated artist. And the frustration that comes with being immensely talented yet constantly overlooked fuels 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time, a double album that wrestles with the duality of being a braggadocious, overachieving rap star and an insecure black man still searching for direction. 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time is a bridge between fame and frailty, giving us a look inside KRIT’s life as a rap celebrity and his very human struggles. As always, his stories are presented over authentic Southern production, from system rattling trunk bangers to laid back soul samples. 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time is KRIT’s best – and most important – LP thus far.
Forgotten favorites: “Get Away,” “Big Bank,” “Price of Fame,” “Layup”
2. 4eva N a Day (2012)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
Edd said: What do you do after dropping one of the greatest mixtapes of all time? Well, you drop ANOTHER one of the greatest mixtapes of all time. 4eva N a Day was a definitive victory lap, proving that his previous success was no fluke. And don’t make the mistake of thinking that it’s a rehash of what worked before. 4eva N a Day is much more mellow and reflective than much of his previous projects. Love, family, ambition, pride for his home and faith is his gifts all drive the narrative – each of them equally relatable. The introspective songwriting and seamless sequencing make the tape deeply immersive, almost spiritual in some places. 4eva N a Day is a triumph, one of the best projects to emerge from the South.
Forgotten favorites: “Wake Up,” “Yesterday,” “4evaNADay”
1. Return of 4Eva (2011)
Soul in Stereo rating: 5 stars out of 5
Edd said: Many have spent an entire generation attempting to crown various emerging Southern artists as the “new Outkast.” By 2011, I was convinced that only one man deserved that crown. Big KRIT’s Return of 4Eva is a compelling portrait of Southern living – the highs and lows of family and fame and the struggles of a racially charged environment … and rims and strippers n’ stuff too. The production is stellar, the themes run deep and KRIT stands taller than every before. In a genre that loves to brag about “cultural shifts” Return of 4Eva is one of those very few moments where we felt the earth move beneath our feet. It’s KRIT’s best work, one of the best mixtapes ever made and a true masterpiece in Southern hip-hop.
Forgotten favorites: “R4 Theme Song,” “My Sub,” “The Vent”
WHEW that was a lot. What are your favorite KRIT projects? Let us know below.
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